In honor of a Seneca man, the community participates in a squirrel hunting competition on New Year’s Day.

“I went hunting… saw no squirrels,” says Westin Fry, Rusty’s son.

“Why are you hunting squirrels today?” I asked.

“In memory of my dad,” replied Westin.

Rusty Fry was an avid hunter and registered nurse. After his death 4 years ago, his family and friends wanted to do something to honor his legacy, and give back to the community.

“Rusty was an awesome guy. It would be hard-pressed to find someone happier than him, and absolutely absolutely loved to hunt and fish and everything about the outdoors,” says Kolby Lankford, Fry Organization Event Coordinator.

The Rusty Fry Memorial Scholarship Organization puts on hunting and fishing events every year to raise money for graduating seniors.

“It’s fun to keep him in mind and to continue on with his legacy, and to also help some kids that are starting out in school,” says Lankford.

Since the start of the organization, there have been 8 scholarships awarded to students — the family hoping that this will be a good way to continue to give back to kids in more ways than one.

“It’s fun, you know, it’s just a good event. A lot of these events I think we try to set up to make them really good for children, and to get kids involved in the outdoors, because I think that’s a big part of it is trying to pass on the hunting and fishing on to the next generation,” says Lankford.